It’s been almost two decades since global leaders first examined the role of environmental, social and governance (ESG) value drivers in asset management and financial research. Their research confirmed “who cares wins,” a tagline that has held true as consumers continue to demonstrate more belief-driven behavior. But for many years, ESG was not in the mainstream. The Financial Times cited data from Pimco that found ESG was mentioned in fewer than 1% of earnings calls between 2005 to 2018. Today, it reports that “investing within an ESG framework is now the fastest-growing segment of the asset management industry.”

With the remarkable rise of ESG has come pressure on corporations and their outside law firms to establish more sustainable business strategies. Yet, the ubiquitous use of ESG as an umbrella term has reached a boiling point. Regulators, investors and consumers alike have become skeptical of both the veracity and relevance of ESG-branded initiatives. Some politicians have even established “anti-ESG” platforms to obstruct corporate investment in clean energy solutions. To avoid ESG controversy, remain relevant and truly achieve sustainable competitive advantage, now’s the time to reframe and refocus the effort.

Responsible Business Management Is Focused on the Future

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